Former cancer patient creates fun packs for kids in hospital
By Greg Roxburgh
A former cancer patient is giving a boost to children suffering like she did by creating puzzles, stickers and colouring-in packages for them in hospital.
Charlotte Murphy, 30, has been making and delivering creative packs for young cancer patients at the Royal Marsden and St George’s Hospital.
Charlotte, pictured above, who also works full-time as a marketing manager, initially set out to help patients at the Teenage Cancer Unit at the Royal Marsden in Sutton, where she delivered her first packs in early April.
She then started a GoFundMe page at the end of April so she could continue her mission. This has raised almost £900, allowing her to make and deliver more than 100 packs to both the Royal Marsden and St George’s Hospital.
Charlotte said: “Due to current circumstances, I know young patients are more isolated than ever before.
“I have been motivated to do this as I had cancer when I was a teenager, so I know how isolating it can be, let alone now in these times.”
Teenage Cancer Trust youth support co-ordinator, Ella Hallpike, said: “The creative packs have been absolutely invaluable for the young people, as a way in which it helps to not only distract them whilst receiving their treatment but also enables them to relax, enhancing their emotional well-being.”
Charlotte said: “I’m on a mission to help young cancer patients during the coronavirus pandemic by supplying as many creative care packages as possible.
“I wanted to provide them with something fun to do, so I put together creative packs for 10 patients – and they loved them.”
Each pack is unique and contains activities like memory puzzles, stickers, coloured pencils, colouring books and notebooks.
Charlotte said it takes her about 15 minutes to make each pack, which she does in the evenings and over the weekends.
She concluded: “I believe in the power of creativity to keep the mind entertained and focused, and I am so overwhelmed with the support from strangers on this mission. It’s shown me the amount of kindness that is actually out there.”
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